Hand grenade



June 29, 1937.

R. c. ALLEN HAND GRENADE Filed Dec. 24, 1934 Vllllll.

IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY Patented June 29, 1937 UNETED STATES PATENT GFFECE.

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in hand grenades which liberate tear gas or other disabling gases when discharged.

One of the main objects of this invention is to provide hand grenades in which the disabling chemicals are hermetically sealed in a core independent of the container or grenade body.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hand grenade in which the chemicals contained therein cannot leak out or deteriorate.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a hand grenade in which the full contents thereof is expelled in all directions almost instantly, the moment it is discharged.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a hand grenade which may be loaded with a combination of gases, such as tear gas, sickening gas, smoke gas etc.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hand grenade which, due to the fact that the gas in instantly expelled in its full force from the container when discharged, cannot be picked up, kicked or hurled back at the party throwing the same.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a hand grenade which permits the gases to circulate quickly between the space created by the core and the container, when in assembled condition.

Several other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those familiar with the art.

In the accompanying drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is an outline view of the hand grenade in accordance with this invention, showing the container or grenade body partly broken away.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the core as used in my invention before coating the mantle with a starting mixture, said mantle being partly removed.

Figure 3 is a sectional View line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail view of one of the plugs which seals the discharge openings of the grenade body through which the gases expel.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional detail view of a plug before pressed intoposition.

In general my invention comprises a grenade body or container 6, provided with the well known army type timer 7 and a core 8. Said grenade body 6 consists of a lower cup 9 and an upper cup which is, when assembled, crimped over as of the core along shown and indicated by the numeral H. Said upper cup I!) is provided at its top with a central opening I2, into which is inserted and securely held by means of a lock-nut IS the timer '7, in a manner as shown in Figure l.

To describe in detail the construction and operation of said timer 1 would be useless, since the same is generally used and well known in the art.

Said body 6 is also provided with a plurality of apertures l3, adapted to be sealed by means of cup-shaped plugs made out of easy fusible material, which assume a shape as shown in Figure 4, when pressed into assembled position.

The said core 8 comprises a cylindrical mantle l6, of foraminous material, open at both ends, into which are inserted a plurality of capsules ll, made out of gelatine, celluloid or any other suitable material, which contain the various chemicals producing poisoning, disabling or asphyxiating gases. Several of said capsules may also contain carbon tetrachloride which acts as a medium to extinguish flames should the starting mixture I8 ignite and burst into fire. These capsules [1 are inserted into said mantle l6 and packed with said starting mixture (a jelly-like 25 mixture of gun powder and celluloid or other suitable material) in a manner as best shown in Figures 2 and 3. It will be noted that the said starting mixture I 8 penetrates the openings E9 of said mantle l6 and is entirely exposed at the 0 top and then to bottom 2| of said core 8. In addition, the whole core is dipped in the starting mixture and dried, thus completely covering said core 8 with a coat of said starting mixture.

This method of packing will hermetically seal said capsules I 7 and its contents, thereby preserving the chemicals for an indefinite length of time. In addition to this advantage the starting mixture will almost instantly ignite the entire core the moment the grenade is discharged.

Core 8, when in assembled position in the grenade body 6 is held between the lower cup 9 and the upper cup ID as best shown in Figure 1, thus providing an air space 22 between said grenade body 6 and said core 8 at nearly all places.

When it is desired to use my hand grenade, the safety pin 23, which is attached to a ring 24, is removed and the handle 25 is held against the grenade body 6 with the palm of the hand of the thrower. When thrown, said handle 25 automatically releases the striker (not shown) of the timer 7, which strikes the primer (not shown) thereby igniting the match head 26 of the time fuse 21 which ignites the starting mixture I8.

The moment said starting mixture I8 is ignited,

the pressure and heat within said grenade body 6 melts, breaks and destroys the capsules H which contain the various gases, the plugs l5 which seal the holes I3 also melt and the gases are now violently and quickly expelled through the now open holes I3 of said grenade body.

It is important to emphasize the fact, that grenades of the old type can not expel their contents instantly, as is in my improved type, for the reason that the starting mixture is packed solid in the lower cup, which naturally blocks all the discharge holes in the lower cup, thus preventing the gases to be expelled until the ignited burning mixture burns downwardly and reaches these discharge holes. The aforesaid condition results in that grenades are often picked up or kicked back at the thrower, because the gases are expelled only from the top, as soon as discharged.

While I have illustrated and described my invention, I do not desire to be limited to the structural details so illustrated and described; but intend to cover all forms and arrangements which fall within the terms employed in the definitions of my invention constituting the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a grenade, a barrel shaped body, a timing element mounted thereon; a straight foraminous container positioned in the body and held co-axially therein by direct contact of the ends of said container with the interior walls of said body to produce an empty chamber around said container, and a charge of a disabling medium placed within the container, said charge being in direct communication with said chamber through the foramina in said container.

2. In a grenade, a barrel shaped body; a timing element mounted thereon; a straight cylindrical foraminous container positioned in the body and held co-axially therein by direct contact of the peripheral edges of the ends of said container with the interior walls of said body to produce an empty annular chamber around said container, and a charge of a disabling medium and of a starting mixture placed within the container, said charge being in direct communication with said chamber through the foramina in said container.

3. In a grenade, a body of substantially barrel shaped contour; a timing element mounted thereon and a container for a disabling medium, said container comprising a foraminous cylindrical mantle open at both ends and held 00- axially within the body by pressing the peripheral edges of the container against the inside walls of said body, said container being of less diameter than the equatorial diameter of the body to produce an empty chamber around said container.

ROSSLYN C. ALLEN. 

